THE EU TRANSPARENCY REGISTER

As of 13/03/2013 there were 5599 registrants in the EU Transparency Register. But according to the evaluation undertaken by Justin Greenwood from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Business School, and Joanna Dreger from the College of Europe in Bruge, one-third (about 1800 organisations) did not select ‘European’ among the territorial level of interests they represent. The researchers estimate that around three-quarters of business related organisations active in engaging EU political institutions are in the Register and around 60% of NGOs with European interests are in the Register. They further note that there are faults of design and nomenclature, resulting in 15% of entries in the NGO category being somewhat misplaced influencing the extent of public disclosure from this constituency.

1. Professional consultancies/law firms/self-employed consultants show 615 registrants (10.9% of total)

• Professional consultancies 410 registrants (7.3% of total).
• Law firms 45 registrants (0.8% of total).
• Self-employed consultants 160 registrants (2.9% of total).

2. In-House lobbyist and trade/professional associations show 2,710 registrants (48.4% of total).

• Companies and Groups 778 registrants (13.9%)
• Trade, business and professional associations 1,624 registrants (29% of total)
• Trade Unions 118 registrants (2.1% of total)
• Other similar organisations 190 registrants (3.4% of total)

3. Non-Government organisations 1,560 registrants (27.9% of total

• NGOs, plaforms and networks and similar 1,560 registrants (27.9% of total)

4. Think Tanks and research institutions 398 registrants (7.1% of total)

• Think tank and research institutions 283 registrants (5.0% of total)
• Academic institutions 115 registrants (2.0%)

5. Organisations representing churches and religious communities 40 registrants (0.7% of total).

• Organisations representing churches and religious communities 40 registrants (0.7% of total)

     6.  Organisations representing local, regional and municipal authorities, other  public or mixed entities etc. 276 registrants ( 4.9% of total)

• Local, regional and municipal authorities at sub national level 125 registrants (2.2% of total)
• Other public or mixed entities etc. 131 registrants (2.3% of total)

Summary

In order of importance

1. In-House lobbyists and trade and professional associations account for 48.4% of total.
2. Non-Governmental organizations account for 27.9% of total.
3. Professional consultancies/law firms/self-employed consultants account for 10.9% of total.
4. Think tanks, research and academic institutions account for 7.1% of total.
5. Organisations representing local, regional and municipal authorities, other public or mixed entities etc. account for 4.9% of total.
6. Organisations representing churches and religious communities account for 0.7% of total.